Sink Drain Conditioning Systems and Methods

ABSTRACT

This disclosure is directed towards a sink drain conditioning system that comprises a sink drain conditioning composition and a sink drain device, wherein the device houses the composition, provides for at least partial exposure of the composition, and is geometrically configured for placement within a sink drain.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/650,982, filed May 23, 2012, and incorporates the disclosure of that application by reference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, a sink drain conditioning system comprises a sink drain conditioning composition and a sink drain device, wherein the device houses the composition, provides for at least partial exposure of the composition, and is geometrically configured for placement within a sink drain. In accordance with exemplary embodiments, manufacturing a sink drain conditioning system comprises manufacturing a sink drain conditioning composition and housing it within a fabricated sink drain device, wherein the device provides for at least partial exposure of the composition and is geometrically configured for placement within a sink drain.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the systems and methods to condition a sink drain may be derived by referring to the detailed description and any claims when considered in connection with the following illustrative Figures (FIGS). In the following FIGS, like reference numbers refer to similar elements and steps throughout the FIGS.

FIG. 1 representatively illustrates, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an exploded view of a sink drain conditioning system showing a sink drain conditioning composition and a sink drain device, wherein the device houses the composition, provides for at least partial exposure of the composition, and is geometrically configured for placement within a sink drain;

FIG. 2 representatively illustrates a perspective view of the sink drain conditioning system in an assembled form and positioned within a sink drain; and

FIG. 3 representatively illustrates an exploded view of the sink drain conditioning system showing a locking mechanism by which the system assembly may be secured together.

Elements and any steps in the FIGS are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been rendered according to scale and/or any particular sequence. For example, any steps that may be performed concurrently or in different order are illustrated in the FIGS to help to improve understanding of exemplary embodiments of methods and systems to condition a sink drain.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Systems to condition a sink drain may be described in terms of system elements and components. Such system elements and components may be realized by any number of elements and components configured to perform their specified operation. Also, other equivalent elements and components should be considered to fall within the ambit of this disclosure whether or not specifically described.

Moreover, methods to condition a sink drain may be described in terms of functional block components and various processing steps. Such functional blocks may be realized by any number of elements and/or components configured to perform the specified functions and achieve the various results, for example, to alleviate an odor, to absorb foul/noxious gases emanating from a sink drain, to provide a pleasing scent, and/or to eliminate bacteria, molds, fungus, and the like from within the sink drain.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment and with reference to FIG. 1, a system 100 to condition a sink drain is depicted. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the system 100 may comprise a sink drain conditioning composition 102 and a device, wherein the device may house the sink drain conditioning composition 102. For example, and as shown in FIG. 1, the device may comprise a two piece configuration, such as upper housing portion 101 and lower housing portion 103, wherein each part of the two piece configuration may comprise functional components to secure the sink drain conditioning composition 102 within it. For example, upper housing portion 101 may comprise an inner wall 112 and lower housing portion 103 may comprise an outer wall 114 such that when upper and lower housing portions 101 and 103 are mated together a space is created to house the sink drain conditioning composition 102.

As shown, the upper and lower housing portions 101 and 103 may mate together to secure the sink drain conditioning composition between them, and the upper and lower housing portions 101 and 103 may further comprise a plurality of openings to at least partially expose the composition, thereby allowing the sink drain composition to function, and in some exemplary embodiments, the plurality of openings also allow a fluid to pass through to the sink drain itself The plurality of openings can be seen by elements 104 of upper housing portion 101 and elements 105 of lower housing portion 103. As can be seen by continued reference to FIG. 1, the system 100 may be geometrically configured to fit within a sink drain 110. It should be noted that while the device has been generally described to provide for at least partial exposure of the composition 102 so as to allow the conditioning composition 102 to function, other elements that provide for the composition 102 to function but that do not necessarily openly expose the composition should also be considered to fall within the ambit of this disclosure, for example, permeable or semi-permeable (not shown) membranes may be used. Moreover, any such other elements may operate in conjunction with exposing elements or operate completely independent.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the system 100 shown comprises a two piece configuration that can mate together to house, i.e., secure and support the sink drain conditioning composition 102 between them. It should be appreciated, though, that this is merely one exemplary configuration and any number of other configurations, which can be placed within or proximate the sink drain 110 to condition the sink drain, falls within the ambit of this disclosure. For example, the system 100 may comprise of a single body element or a plurality of body elements. Moreover, any plurality of body elements may be secured together by any number of securing mechanisms. For example, and with momentary reference to FIG. 3, a snap lock feature 308 is shown to depict the manner by which upper and lower housing portions 101 and 103 may secure together, but other securing mechanisms may be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention, for example, screws, pins, friction fits, glues, magnets, and the like may be used.

Continuing with FIGS. 1 and 3, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary configuration of the sink drain conditioning composition 102 and the mechanism by which upper and lower housing portions 101 and 103 may house such composition is shown. In this exemplary embodiment, the conditioning composition 102 comprises a generally toroidal shape to match the shape of the device that houses it and/or drain in which the system 100 may be placed, but other configurations may be used. Among the various configurations, however, the drain composition is generally supported and/or housed proximate a sink drain opening by the housing portions.

In accordance with exemplary embodiments, the system 100 may comprise a generally solid sink drain conditioning composition 102 that, in some exemplary embodiments, may deteriorate over time and use as it slowly dissolves to distribute particles of the composition 102, thereby facilitating the need to provide replacement compositions, but the system 100 may comprise of other types of sink drain conditioning compositions. For example, the system may be configured to accept a variety of sink drain conditioning compositions, such as, gels, liquids, oils, salts, powders, compressed gases, pesticides, bio-pesticides, and the like, or any combination thereof. In addition, if needed, any of the compositions may be activated by any number of manners, including, but not limited to, temperature dependant/independent water standing and/or flowing through/about the device to interact with the composition, general ambient air flowing through/about the device to interact with the composition, resistive elements coupled to or proximate the composition, etc.

In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, the sink drain conditioning composition 102 may function by providing for a gradual release of small particulate amounts of the composition 102. Such dissemination may result in an eventual wearing away (erosion) of the composition 102 to an extent such that replacement and/or refilling of the composition 102 is needed. To facilitate a determination as to when a replacement composition may be needed, in an exemplary embodiment and as shown in FIG. 2, a system 100 may comprise one or more viewing portals and/or indicator windows 207 so that a user can monitor the erosion of the composition 102. In accordance with other exemplary embodiments, though, the conditioning composition 102 may be used to absorb foul odors and/or noxious gases. In this instance, the conditioning composition 102 may not erode, but rather, become saturated. Thus, the conditioning composition 102 may need to be replaced at regular intervals and/or the viewing portals 207 described above may be used to view the general configuration of the conditioning composition 102 to determine replacement and/or to view a saturation indicator.

In accordance with exemplary embodiments, the system 100 shown and described may function independent of any other type of sink drain plugs, strainers, etc., but in alternate embodiments, exemplary embodiments of the preset invention may retrofit to existing drain plugs and/or strainers. For example, a device (not shown), may be configured that couples to an existing sink drain plug or strainer to support and allow the sink drain conditioning composition to function.

In accordance with exemplary embodiments, various systems and methods are shown and described herein that are directed primarily to conditioning a sink drain, but it should be appreciated that the systems and methods disclosed herein may be configured with respect to size and/or geometric configuration for use in other applications. For example, the exemplary embodiments described and shown herein may be configured for not only a sink drain, but for other types of drains and/or orifices, such as, floor drains, septic systems, sewer systems, water coolers, soda fountains, beer wells, and any other application that comprises a drain to collect a draining fluid.

Among various exemplary embodiments, the system 100, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, may configured to be positioned circumferentially about the perimeter of a sink drain, such that any moving fluids and/or debris can move freely into the sink drain without any obstruction or straining aspect, as with a typical drain strainer. In other exemplary embodiments, though, the system 100 may comprise a break in the perimeter of the system 100 such that the system comprises a semi-circular or a portion thereof configuration (not shown).

Among various exemplary embodiments, a method to manufacture a drain conditioning system may comprise fabricating a device for placement within a sink drain and manufacturing a drain conditioning composition to be housed by the device. An exemplary embodiment may comprise fabricating the device by fabricating an upper housing portion and fabricating a lower housing portion, such that the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion mate together to comprise an internal space to house the manufactured drain conditioning composition. In an embodiment, at least one of the fabricated upper and lower housing portions further comprises at least one fabricated opening to partially expose the internally housed drain conditioning composition. In another exemplary embodiment, at least one of the fabricated upper and lower housing portions further comprises a fabricated window to view the internally housed drain conditioning composition. Among various exemplary embodiments, the fabricated upper and lower hosing portions comprise fabricated interlocking mechanisms to secure the upper and lower housing portions together, and may further comprise a fabricated flange extending radially outward about the outer perimeter of the upper housing portion.

The steps recited in any method or process claims may be executed in any order and are not limited to the specific order presented in any of the claims. Additionally, the elements and/or components recited in any system or device claims may be assembled or otherwise operationally configured in a variety of permutations and are accordingly not limited to the specific configuration recited by the claims. The various elements and/or components disclosed in conjunction with the method may be similar to the elements and/or components described throughout this disclosure with respect to the system and/or device.

In the foregoing specification, the sink drain conditioning systems and methods have been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. Various modifications and changes may be made, however, without departing from the scope of the sink drain conditioning systems and methods as may be set forth in any of the claims. The specification and FIGS are illustrative, rather than restrictive, and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the sink drain conditioning systems and methods. Accordingly, the scope of the sink drain conditioning systems and methods should be determined by the claims and their legal equivalents rather than by merely the examples described.

Benefits, other advantages and solutions to problems have been described with regard to particular embodiments; however, any benefit, advantage, solution to problem or any element that may cause any particular benefit, advantage or solution to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required or essential features or components of any or all the claims in any issuing patent.

The terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising”, “having”, “including”, “includes”, “is” and the like refer to a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, composition or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements recited, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, composition or apparatus. Other combinations and/or modifications of the structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials or components used in the practice of the sink drain conditioning methods and systems, in addition to those not specifically recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters or other operating requirements without departing from the general principles of the same. 

I claim:
 1. A system to condition a drain comprises: a device for placement within a sink drain and a drain conditioning composition housed by the device.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the device comprises an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion, such that the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion mate together to comprise an internal space to house the drain conditioning composition.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the upper and lower housing portion further comprises at least one opening to partially expose the internally housed drain conditioning composition.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein at least one of the upper and lower housing portions further comprises a window to view the internally housed drain conditioning composition.
 5. The system claim 4 wherein the drain conditioning composition comprises a bio-pesticide.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the upper and lower hosing portions comprise interlocking mechanisms to secure the upper and lower housing portions together.
 7. The system of 6, wherein the system nests co-operatively adjacent about the inner perimeter of the drain wall.
 8. The system of claim 8 wherein the upper housing portion further comprises a flange extending radially outward about the outer perimeter of the upper housing portion.
 9. A device to condition a drain comprises: a drain conditioning composition and a toroidial support for the drain conditioning composition.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the drain conditioning composition comprises a dissolvable solid material comprising a bio-pesticide.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the support comprises a configuration to maintain the drain conditioning composition proximate to a drain opening.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the support further comprises an indicator to determine replacement of the drain conditioning composition by a user.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein the support internally houses the drain conditioning composition.
 14. A method to manufacture a drain conditioning system comprises: fabricating a device for placement within a sink drain and manufacturing a drain conditioning composition to be housed by the device.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein fabricating the device comprises fabricating an upper housing portion and fabricating a lower housing portion, such that the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion mate together to comprise an internal space to house the manufactured drain conditioning composition.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein at least one of the fabricated upper and lower housing portion further comprises at least one fabricated opening to partially expose the internally housed drain conditioning composition.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein at least one of the fabricated upper and lower housing portions further comprises a fabricated window to view the internally housed drain conditioning composition.
 18. The method claim 17 wherein the manufactured drain conditioning composition comprises a bio-pesticide.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the fabricated upper and lower hosing portions comprise fabricated interlocking mechanisms to secure the upper and lower housing portions together.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the fabricated upper housing portion further comprises a fabricated flange extending radially outward about the outer perimeter of the upper housing portion. 